Stapling apparatus



Nov. 8, 1949 s. I EBER ETAL STAPLING APPARATUS Original Filed Nov.` 27, '1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l 49 a Ina/effe 207 Sar/mne Leer EmZ U Z e Zier www@ S. LEBER ET AL sTAPLING APPARATUS Nov. 8, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lill/11111111111 Original Filed Nov. 27, 1946 Patented Nov. 8, 1949 STAPLING APPARATUS Samuel Leber, Belle Harbor, and Emil U. Zeller,

Belle Rose, N. Y., assignors to Consolidated Wire Products Co., New York, N. Y.,

Ship

a partner- Original application November 27, 1946, Serial No.

712,710. Divided and this application February 5, 1948, Serial No. 6,394

4 Claims.

Our present invention relates to a stapling apparatus and more particularly to that type of stapling apparatus, which is portable and is adapted to be used on adesk and which further may be removed from the base and used asa hand stapling device whenever such use is de-` sired.

The present invention is a division of our prior and copending application, Ser. No. 712,710, led November 27, 1946, entitled Stapling apparatus. The line of division between the aforesaid prior application and the present one is based on the principle that said prior application is directed primarily to the provision of a head assembly removably associated with the magazine assembly and accurately positioned thereon, while the present application is directed primarily to the structural details and arrangements of the head assembly per se.

While there have been many types of stapling devices in the past, some of which are fairly satisfactory, a difficulty has arisen with some at f least of these earlier devices due to the tendency thereof to jam, possibly in part due to the construction of the apparatus itself and possibly due to imperfect staples or tol foreign matter finding its Way into the interior of the apparatus. Such prior art devices have usuallyrbeen quite difficult to takeapart for the purpose of clearing such jams, at least without special tools.

Among the principal objects of the invention, therefore, are to provide an improved type of stapling device of this general character, which may be readily disassembled without requiring any special tools to a sufficient extent to clear any jams which may occur incident to defective staples or foreign matter finding its way into the apparatus and which may again be readilyreassembled. As thus reassembled, the parts will be accurately positioned, so Athat the device will operate at its maximum efficiency.

A further object is to provide for the complete disassembly of the apparatus with a minimum of tools so as to permit the replacement of any parts which have become so worn in use or broken for some reason and to permit vthe rapid reassembly of the device in an accurate manner.

A further generalY object ofthe present invention is to provideapparatus of the character described, which may be readilly assembled by relatively unskilled operators and be assured of accurate assembly and proper operation when assembled. Y Further and more detailed lfollowing description and appended claims when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a preferredv formof stapling apparatus in accordance with the present invention; v

Fig. 2 is a view of this apparatus taken substantiallly in vertical section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in section somewhat inclined to the vertical taken substantially of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a similar line 4 4' of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5' is a fragmentary view in section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2; f

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary View, substantially in plan of one end portion of the base taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a detailed view substantially in vertical section on the line I lof Fig. 2; f Y Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detailed viewin section on the line 8 8 of Fig. 2;

section taken on the broken Fig. 9 is a fragmentary View substantially in,

plan of the right hand end portion of the base as seen in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 10 is a view substantially in plan, similar to Fig. 1, illustrating a somewhat modified form of ,p

the invention; Y Y L g ,y

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary View in elevation of the left hand portion ofthe device shownin Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a foreshortened View, the central po'rtion being broken out and omitted, of the base of the apparatus shown in Fig. 10, the View being substantially in plan; .y y.

Fig. 13 is a view of the device yof Fig; 10 substantially in vertical section on the line I3 l3 thereof; Y

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view in section on the broken line l4 |4 of Fig. 13; p

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary view in section on the line l5 |5 of Fig. 13; Y

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary view in section on the line l6 l6 of Fig. 13; and

Fig. 17 is a YViewsubstantially in perspective 'of the staple follower used in both for'rnsof the in` vention.

lobjects ofV the present invention will become apparent` from the' In considering the'two`forms ofthe deviceV shown inthe accompanying "drawingsfthe' der' scription of both will be carried on simultaneouslyras the functions "in general of the several`-v parts f'each'are substantially 'equivalentsfre-Vv spectively and the variations can-best bepointed out in this manner.

The apparatus consists in general of three sep-g y on the vline 3 3 3 4 arate assemblies: a base or base assembly gendevice through the base to a washer shown at erally designated at I in the form of the inven- 25, this washer being located in a depression tion of Figs. 1-9 and designated at 2 in the form formed in the rubber pad 2|, which in this case f the DVeDtOIl in Figs. 10 t0 16, a Staple mager serves the function of the spring I6. The anvil zine assemblydesignated 3 inethe formA of the iin-.p 5 vention of Figs 1- to-9 andatr4 in the formi-of the.

,1g-23 hasiaprincipal circular portion received within 1Ea circular depressionI in the base 26 and fhas an invention of Figs 10 to 16, and a head assembly actuating arm 25 which may be located in designated in the form of Figs. 1 to 9, and 6 in i-i-either of a pair of depressions Separated by a the fOlm 0f FlgS- 10 170 16 humpportion 1:21 of the base 20, Fig. 12, to locate Means are provided in beth forms ef the in* the anvil positively in either of two positions. vention for removing the base assembly:frorrtth'et:l This anvil 'is.yprovided. =.with two die portions 23 remaining parts so as to Perini-tienen remain-111,55 or turning. the-'fstaple'ends inwardly and 29 for parts to be used separately as inthe'- stap1ine'e1"` tnrning -thnr`-""outvvard1y. It is conternpnted tracking Of al Staple ntO Wood, bulletin boards 01' either form of may be used in accordwork of that nature. Such meansrsfeilmspll Lr'aiance with. theA ,present invention, or a single dieaIld generally H0 part 0f the present eiflyetfm yperanvilsxe'd in. character as is conventional as this subject matter is disclosed in Hoehn with.menypI-iopamdeviees may also be used, Patent N0. 1,507,775, granted September 9, 1924. The next feature of the device to be described Means are also DTOVded as hereinafter Sf "his the means for mounting the magazine assemforth in VdetaiLfor removing the head assembly O bly and head assembly eS-ja unit on the base as a unit fromtliemagazine 'assemblyf fg'!` "pera mitting the clearing ofjams; lwhichI r1e5'yzefc as aforesaid incident to defectiveistaples-orrto dirt or @ther ogn `matter getting: into "h` anvil, soas to permit the insertion of work tofbe lassemblyfand'ior providing the'normal resiliapparatus. This operationisso-arrangedras 1502125*stapledthrebetweai...

require no tools of any hind, yet Vupon,reasseirib'lythe parts lare .positivelyfselcuredfinjanffexaetly predetermined position, so` that the devicev w' v 1 ,a punchedeout portion providing an aperture 33 Operate at IlfleLXiIllllHiefficiency,A having lsubstantially-Vertical'jside angesv 3| iand Referring first. o'ltherstfform Qlffthe inyeifl-l 3Q tion shown in Figsflto 9`,'th"ba se"a`ssernb1y I comprises a main base,k member. 1. y,which may b struck up from sheet metal by'an stamping'v-pe'ra tion endwhiehanes siewnwerdlyturned'-edeei tions to give it a finished appear'. e member may be finished on meent-,eme l, thel 3| and 32.-'r By-this construction a hinge means is top, in any. manner-nwmfer; the-lliishig :..Of' prOVliedWVithQuVthe USQ'QfLanY Stimme Parts metal parts. At its forward and rear enlsgthe the pms 01"tstudsnomauy Testllflg 1I1`D1V0ta1 base member 1 ,..1earries ...siltablefepads sI5 eend of resilient material, xsuch-.asruliben; ,iercthe purpose of preventing. damageortscarringito anyi :l surface such as the top of adesk .onfwhichcthei device may besupported; A As.shown,.the rubberi. parts 8- and S-are securedto the fbase. members I by inwardly turned integral tabs Il-=and.||4 respectively (Ftgv j 'I' l. to the 'base-Vini any-suitable manner -as by The base member 'm'ay be forme@ flth ,a'fij d rivets 37',- see-Fig'sf-Z and V'9i-In order. however, suitably Shaped Ifeess, as ,indlcatidja'fzn. that the spring-36 be effective not only to retain Which is .loaed'an .anvilfmemberf'zl This" the hinged parts in* theirf desired location, `tdt member may bev secured `to the I4 rigid therewith'extending thro Agh n aperture?" Referring'now'tofthe Figs. 1 to 9 form of the recesses or slots A34forjreceiving inwardly moving therewith upwardly, *so as to retain the s'tuds V35;`r -For this' purpose there is shown a l v carried thereby l'to the position of these parts in the base andbarryinga headIl rivet-ed forL shown in-Fig; 2, Epermitting the insertion of work otherwise secured thereon, a compressionlsprirrg e to be stapled', the"bearingipoint of the springV 3io I5 being loated between the headiIElandthefd'il on the `underside" vof the *magazine assembly 3 underside of thai-portion of the. basewithin the i shownv4 atf38* is tothel'eftjas seen in Fig. 2, of depression I2. "As best shown4 in Figf, the anvil" the hinge point- Vfrtlie magazine assembly, i. e.,` may have threev sets of stapleturning `die p' tions I1, I8 and I9`for turning thefendsgoi vth staples, both inwardly, both outwardlyandoe i" and one out respectively.` As the4 depre`ssion I2 Substantially triangular in herieentel. .dress Se tion and shaped similarly tothe outcry-horizonte; contour of the anvil mem,ber..|3,the latter ma be moved.. upwardly against the empressienieff the spring I6 and rotated to bring a desired ,on of the die setsinto alignment; with thepathof a: staple being `drivenpby thehmeans....hereinafter described.. i 1 1. 1 af.. 1.,; Turning nowto the Flg. 10 t0 16 form of .they performed by any lunskilldlperson. Upon reasmvention, asimilar base. c-1s`1'prov1ded having:v ..i Sembly Ofebh'e parts'sby.revereingehe operation, similar pads 2|and 22 suitablyi secured:..theret0. :La these parte are held in an exactly predetermined the magazine assembly `-su'f'ci'ently so ythat the Vstuds 3,5,` which1'-is"`permittd by the-flexing of the spring 36. "The'magazineassembly and parts carried thereby may thenbefmoved vto the left 'ent force'tendingto keepVthe Vforward endof 'the magazinefandj head assemblies-above theinvention, the base member 1 is provided with 32 betweenwhichthemagazne assembly 3 is arranged to be 'pivoted '-f-Ihemagazine assembly 3 itself includes anouter'lchann/el-likememberr 33 which'has' formedftherein a pair' of aligned punched-stud portions 35 kof the sidev-flanges relation on the lower ends o f the depressions or 'i rear end vrofthevmagazine'- assembly and parts lower ends of thereces's'es or slots 34 against the "resi1ientf1eaf'spring'e36f which maybe secured between this-point and thefpiointat which staples readily 'disengagedbydepressingfthe rear end of upper fp'rtionfthereof is-com-pletely below the as seen invFigQ2jso' as to'fdisengage them comer pletelyrom'the'baseassembly#. This operation "I0 requires'no' tools VVand isv -sosiinple that it may be and having an anvil member 23,-whe'h may-b 5W position with respect to 'one' another, so that the i connected byl a cotter vpin121|-.or1'son`1'e1 similar 475 device will operateproperl-y;

inwardly directed studs invention the studs may be ,the invention is similarly Considering now the similar 'partsof the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 0 to 16, thebase is provided with Aa separate part 39 secured thereto as by screws 40. The part 39 is U-shaped in cross section and provides a pair of upstanding flanges 4l, which are in turn Aprovided with 42. In this form of the formed as separate parts suitably rigidly carriedby the flanges 4I. 'Ihe magazine assembly 4 shown in this form of provided with an outer channel-like member 43 having slots or recesses 34 formed therein corresponding to the similarly numbered recesses shown in Fig. 2 and engaging the studs 42 in a similar manner. In this case ,there is provided a-resilient leaf spring means 44 carried by one'of the screws 4U and bearing u pon a free floating plunger member 45, which pro- Y jects through aligned apertures in the base 20 and the member 39 and engages the underside of the channel member 43 of the magazine assembly 4. The parts operate in the same manner as hereinabove described for the preferred form of the invention.

The magazine assembly itself is constructed as simply as possible and, in accordance with the preferred form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive, is formed solely from sheet meta-l parts suitably formed into desired shapes. Referring rst to these figures, the magazine assembly 3 includes an outer portion 33,'which is formed as a channel having its upper edges inturned as shown at 46 (Fig. 4). Located within the member 33 is an inner channel member 41 formed as a U-shaped channel and suitably secured to the member 33. For the purpose of v locating these members with respect to one another in the assembly thereof the outer member 33 may be formed with one or more punched-up portions as shown at 48, Fig.V 1, and the inner member formed with corresponding punched-out portions'or apertures in alignment therewith for predetermining the proper assembled positions of the parts. This serves the operators in the assembly operation in locating the parts, after which they may be spot welded together or otherwise suitably secured to one another. 1

The inner member 41 provides a staple support for receiving thereon a stock of staples as indi-l cated at 49, Figs. 2, r3 and 4. The staples are l loaded into the rearward endv of the channels thus formed, at the right as seen in Fig. 2, and thereafter are confined between the upper edges Ymember 43 in this ever, in both forms" of 'the invetionthebutei form similarly having inturned flanges designated atv 46 and corresponding to the similarly numbered portions of vthe outer member 33, shown in the preferred form of the invention.

Means Aare provided in accordance with the present invention Lfor removably securing the head assembly to the magazine assembly and for positioning these assemblies accurately when they are reassembled. This becomes important for the reason that the head assembly includes an outer member 51, which isr substantially U-shaped in horizontal cross section and includes a front portion 53 and'vertical side wall portions 59. The plunger'm'eans or staple driving means includes as hereinafter more particularly described a driving blade E3, which bears against and is guided by the front portion '58 and is arranged to pass betweeny this front portionand the 'left hand end, as seen in Figs. 2 and 13 of the magazine assembly, the space provided between the end of the magazine assembly and the front 5,8 of the outer member 51 of the head assembly being just sufflcient to permit the passage of this blade. As the blade itself is substantially the thickness of a single staple, the spaces also just sufficient to permit the free,` passage of a single staple. In order that this space be kept constant and at a desired width, it is necessary that the head assembly be accurately located on the magazine assembly; as too large a space would permit more than one staple' to get into the space and cause a jam, while too small a space would prevent even a single staple from being driven.

Referring now to both forms vof the invention,

Vmeans are provided, including at least one horizontal recess in one of these assemblies and a stud in the other thereof, cooperating with said recess, for locating the head assemblyin respect to the magazine assembly at least about thecenter of the stud. Additional means are then provided to prevent relative rotation about this center, in this case such additional means include additional studs and recesses spaced longitudinally of the magazine assembly from the first-named stud. Fromv` a broad point of view it is immaterial which of the assemblies the recess is formedin and which'the stud is formed on. The means for preventing rotation .about the first stud mayV from a broadpoint of view be a part of the head assembly resting upon the magazine assembly of the inner channel 41 and the inturned edges 4B of the outer member 33, thus positively preventing any dislocation of the staples in use.

A staple follower generally indicated at is provided, this follower being shown in perspective or otherwise engagedtherewith.

In both forms of the invention, however, there are shown a pair of aligned slots 6I formed in the lower rear edge of the sidewall portions 59, these slots being an exampleof recesses Ywhich may or in Fig. 17 and having substantially the cross section of a stack of staples with the exception of a central raised rib portion 5| provided for a purpose hereinafter described and a struck-up hook portion 52 at the rear thereof for connection with the means by which the followeris resiliently urged forwardly to move the `stack of staples 49 to the staple driving position, i. e.Y to the left Y as seen in Fig. 2.

Referring now to the form of the invention shown in Figs. 10 to 16the inner member of the staple magazine may be formed of a downwardly turned channel 53 having an inner solid block 54 therein and these parts held togetherV by screws or other similar means as shown at 55, and

may not extend completely through the thickness ofthe walls 59 and with which cooperate a pair of aligned outwardly extending studs 62 as best shown in Figsfz and 8 for the first form of the invention, and in Figs 11 and 13 for the second form thereof. As particularly shown in Fig. 8, the stud 62 may in practice be formed by striking outwardly portions of the Vouter member 33 of the magazine assembly at the appropriate points.

The means for holding the head assembly against rotation about the axis of the studs 62 is shown as a pair of inwardly directed and aligned studs 53, Figs. 2, 3 and 8, vformed by striking inwardly portions of the Youter head member 51 or as separate parts as shown for-the correspond- `ing numbered studs in Figs. 11 and 13, these studs to the outer member 43 by screws 56. The function of the parts is substantially the same, howcooperating-,with a pair vof aligned, horizontally extending slots G4 formed in the left hand end "latteii For centrally thereofvand carrying a Head 7 i .geen in, Fies- .2 and 13 olf ..,tb outer channel aber@ 3s 'dm3 ,orthemagazmeassembn: L '1' It" will beiseenthatibyft pin andreeessorslot [connections just described,` the *head `fas'sembly wllfbe prevented from rotatloriiin respect to the magazine 'assembly "and'tvill Abe prevented' from all movementin respect thereto withnth'ej exception'` of` a movement longitudinally 'of fthe magaf {zine'jassembly, slots ofrecesses' '61 andqjall bejing'parallel to thelongitudinal extentfpf the magazine assembly." 'Means "are provided, which are somewhat dif- `ferent in 'the two 'form'svofjtlieinvention,`for

l'lo'cking the head 'assembly to themagazine asj sembly against movement" longitudinally' of the i this purposejasgshown inl connection withiboth formsv of the invention; there' "is provided a latch membenjpreferably spring pressed toward' its 'operative' position; "in vone "'of' these as'- semblies Acooperating withasguitablejv recess in the "other'such as"sembly."""'rv Referrin'g now to the form of the invention s shown in Figs. 1 to 9,'this latch member is indicated' at 65 andisformedsubstantiallyfufshaped in cross section, withfthe bight of the'UeXtending under and'tra'nsfversely of the magazine las"- seinbly and` arranged to` belocated at'its operative position in recesses Vformed in the underside 4of themagazine assembly and in the lower edges of the side wall portions 59 o f the outer member thenfrontand side walls of Ia housing forlthe head assembly 'fana-an inrijeijistrctprijnfmter `genve yldesignated as 1 2', whicl'if'is"givenfthefsarne deslg'nation'` as to both; 'forins' of the invention as these parts aresubta tially 'sin/lilar"with 'the'exceptionv off certain' minor" diieren'ces', which" 'will be pointedY out as jthedesciption proceeds.` The 'inner structural member 12 is preferably iformed ironia single piede o'fsh'eet metal suitablyishaped and jbent Vto :ai desired c'onfo`rrr'1at'ion. l TThis piece fis'jformed to provide a substantia1ly"vertical front `i'tra1l13-, sidewalls 14Y and 15 'bent rearwardly from'tl'ie frontwall, atop wall` portion 1G b ent'rearwardly from the front wall and forming withtl'ie side Wall portions SSI-'and front"wa1l 58 liof the'outer` member 51 a housing for the head assembly and a. fpwerdl? directed shelf remo 'Means are provided for securing the inner and outer members` ofthe head 'assemblyA together in their @relative assmbledrelation f FOP-this Durposethere are shown twopins '18 `and 19, which pass through thev sidewall portions'f 59"-of v`the outer member 51 and through suitablyg aligned aperturesformed in the inner member'12 These y pins preferably haye'adrivefiitsoas to 'hold'the members together bytheir frictional engagement with the apertures 'ink the outerv 'rn'en1b`er. They may, however, be'removedhby the use oi'apunch should'th'is removingA becomenecessary, as for f tlie replacement of someoneor'more parts." They are" not, however, normally disassembled during the ordinary use o fthedevice.

As` a Yfurther means for holding the head in assembled relation, fthe latch I"member t5V or 69 is provided withlr upstanding side wing portions, asbest shown at 80, Figsj-(l, lfll and l5. These "side 'portionsfse'rve to embrace thelower'edgesof 61 at is upper end, a compression springf sur' rounding thisstud between ,the washerand tile upper surface of the .web of the magazine yassemblythroughvvhich the stud passes.,v By this con- 'struction the latch 65'i's`always urgedupwardly Atowards its' operative position ganddislocation 'thereof' from theV magazine assembly is' positively prevented. The engagement of the latch 65 with the lateral side portions of the recesses in the side wall portions.59', with which it engagea'positively prevents lateral movement of the head `assembly in' respect to the magazine asseniblydn` a direction longitudinal of the `latter"and serves completely to loci; these assemblies in anexactly predetermined positi'onl 'in respect .to eaeh other.

Referring now to the vforni Yor the.invention shown in Figs.,1 0.to 16 there is proyideda Vlatch .68 generally corresponding'to the latcnrnember 65, but somewhatidiieently shapedgas-particuflarly shown in Fig.' 15, in thatthe central portion thereof is bent upwardly to forma recess for a leaf spring 10, whichmay be sejcured'to the magazine assembly 4in anysuitable Wayas by one or more rivets ll andhaveitsffree end d the latch 69. The spring "10 urges tch '.69

upwardly atan time; inw transve ely? angledv recesses substantially embracing tl'ifelatch in its operative position and formed magazine assembly 4 and in the side wal 1"portions 59V of the outer member 51 of the head assembly.v Ihe operation is substantiallythe fas that y`described for 'the precedingfgures.

vConsidering nowthefconstructipn ofthe head assembly per se, `con1;' ri`s `es,` as hereinabove described', anfouter structural mceir'iber thev sidesv 59 of the* outer' member-51 'an'd hold theseparts in assembled'relatinl lr -The side portions '8B of vthe latches 'further serveas hand gripffportidns'for use in moving the-latches to their lower1.cos'itix'i1'1s,A permitting theidisassembly ofthe parts'as above set forth. jTh'ein'ne'r and'outermembers 12 and 51 form- 4"ir'igf-thehearl assembly, as aforesaid, together delinea 'passagel or slide'way for the' main body p0rtion of the de'mes'sible plunger inclic'ated'at '8L This is denedr'on vthree sides bythe front and side portions 58 and 59 of-'theoiiter member 51 fof the'lead assembly "and onith'e fourth side by fthe' front wall 13 of the inner memberl12 of the head assembly. The fbodyj portion 81 `of the plungefmay also'be formed of sheet metal as "the other parts, and"for this purpose is'formed substantially rectangular incrossA section; being lben'tat right4 angles at `-each corner' to form a substantially vertical pillar-like structure, v the top of which may 'be 'closed by 'a bent-over'portion "lol",th'frontfsu'rfaceas shown at'82. lTo the upper end of this structure and particularly tothe part 82'tlier`eof, a suitable'cap or striking memvrber"83may be secured in any suitable manner, "as'by spot welding'. The driving blade vl'll'lmay be suitably secured as by riveting orin any other "suitable way to theirontsurface of" the body `v"thl'is'guiling the plunger in portion 8|, thus'providing a hollow column structure carrying the blade 69. This blade and the 'sidesf the structure 8l 'are arranged irr'sliding "relation withithe'other parts previously described,

its movement.

The shelf j11`niay be :formedfwith a struck-up center stud portion`81','Fig. 2, or this' portion may be foriiie'das ia 'separate' part as shown at85, Fig.

the follower 59 is urged 9 long 'compression Vspring 86 receivedY within' the hollow body portion 8l and serving to urge the plunger and parts moving therewith to its uppermost position.

Means are provided for determining the upper and lower positions of the plunger structure, thus formed, and particularly for preventing contact between the lower portion of the plunger body 8| and the stack of staples 99 being moved toward the staple driving position in alignment with the blade 69. This is the primary function of the shelf 11 in addition to its function to provide an abutment for the spring 86. As will be seen in Figs. 2 and 13, the lower end of the body portion 8l will engage against the shelf 11 and thereby will be prevented from engaging any of the staples in the stack 49 thereof.

For determining the upper end limit of the movement of the plunger structure, a part of the front wall 13 may be struck outwardly, as shown 'at 81 in Fig. 2, or a separate part 88 may be secured to the front wall 13 of the inner member of the head assembly as seen best in Fig. 14. In either case this abutment normally works in an aperture 89 formed in the rear wall of the hollow body portion 8l of the plunger and serves to engage the lower end of this aperture as best shown in Fig. 2.

i Thus should the spring 86 break, it may be .replaced by withdrawing pins 18 and 19, removing the inside member 12 of the head assembly and then withdrawing the plunger structure complete. The assembly of these parts may be effected in a reverse manner.

While a number of different arrangements might be used to exert a resilient force onthe stack of staples i9 to urge them to a position in which the endmost staple may be driven by the driving blade 69, we have chosen tolshow in the accompanying drawings an arrangement by which to the Vleft as seen in Figs. 2 and 13 for the two forms of the invention by a strip-like spring, one end of which is coiled to exert a tension on the other end, such arrangements being sometimes known as a clockwise spring, although this expression does not necessarily have anything to do with the direction in which the spring is wound, which depends upon .the side from which it is viewed. Such a spring is shown in the accompanying drawings at 99. The inner end portion of the spring 90 is wound in a coil illustrated at 9| in Figs. 2, 4 and 14.

Means are provided for holding the inner end of this coil against rotation upon the stretching of the spring or under the tension thereof. For this purpose there is employed a slotted pin 92, which receives in the slot thereof the inner end of the spring 99. The pin 92 is held, as best shown in Figs. 4 and 14, in a pair of aligned apertures in the inner member 12 of the head assembly. Rotation of this pin and hence of the inner end of the spring is prevented by providing it with a non-circular head 93, in this case square, for the pin 92. This head 93 is received in a suitably shaped depression preferably having at least one flat side for engaging a flat side of the head 93. In the present instance, we have found it desirable to provide such depressions in the form of vertical depressions or grooves, as indicated at 94 and best shown in substantially horizontal section in Fig. 14. This form is chosen for facility in manufacturing but is not essential except that there be a depression in at least one side of the member 12 of sufficient depth to re- -The other end of the spring kceive the head 93 of the pin- 92 and'of such shape a'sto prevent the rotation of this pin. I However, by the present means, the pin may be adjusted in rotation in quarter-turn increments so as to predetermine the tension of the spring 90, and may be inserted from either side indiscriminately. When the parts are in assembled position, dislodgment of the pin is prevented by the lateral sideV portions 59 of the outer head member 51, one of which overlies the head of the pin 92.

s 99 may have a suitable fitting 95 secured thereto and provided with an aperture 96 to engage over the hook portion 52 of the follower 50. As shown, the fitting 95 furtherhas a hooked portion 91 by .which it may be readily grasped for engaging it with the follower 59 as particularly shown in the accompanying drawings. In the usual operation of the device, i. e., with the parts in the positions shown in Figs. 2 or 13, the spring 99 extends 4through a slot or aperture in the cover or top wall portion 16 of thehousing for the head assembly, this slot or aperture being shown at 98. When it is desired to fill a stack of staples into the device, the fitting 95 is disengaged from the hook portion 52 of the follower 59 and placed at an inoperative position. The follower is then withdrawn completely from the apparatus, the staples inserted, and the follower re-inserted and again hooked to the fitting 95. In order to provide a satisfactory inoperative `position for the fitting 95 and the spring 90 when the refilling operation is taking place, we have provided an `enlargement as shown at 99 for the aperture or -and hold it in an out of the slot'98 which is adapted to receive thefitting 95 way position. Another feature of considerable practical interest which is embodied in the present invention is the provision of means by which, in the .event that there are no staples in the apparatus,

theI blade 69 is `prevented from coming into Vabutting contact, asdistinguished from sliding contact, with any part of the staple follower 5D. For this purpose the raised or rib portion 5I of the follower 59 is provided, the forward end of which is indicated at |00, Fig. 17, and this end being flush with the leading end of this follower and of such height that it will abut against the side of the blade 6u at the uppermost position of the latter, thus permitting the blade to move past the follower without damage to either. The lower portion of the inside member 12 of the head assembly is of sufficient height above the path of the follower 50 as to permit that follower to move completely up to a position in engagement with the side of the blade 6U, so as to permit the driving of the last staple of a group or stack thereof. In this way the device is arranged for maximum efficiency in the use of staples prior to the requirement for the refilling of the apparatus with additional staples, while positively preventing any undesired operation incident to such use.

While we have herein shown and described but two embodiments of the present invention, some variants thereof have been suggested and others will occur to those skilled in the art. We do not wish to be limited, therefore, except by the scope of the appended claims, which are to be construed validly as broadly as the state of the prior art permits.

What is claimed is:

1. A stapling apparatus, comprising an elongate staple magazine assembly, a staple follower @Separated with said assembly, a head assembly associated with said staple magazine assembly, means for holding said assemblies together, said head assembly comprising an inner member, an outer member, and a spring loaded plunger for driving staples, said inner and outer members having integral parts jointly making up a housing for said head assembly and jointly cooperating to form a guide path for said plunger, a coiled spring carried by said inner member and having one end extending from said head assembly and connected to said staple follower, a pin for nonrotatably securing the inner end of said coiled spring to said head assembly, said pin being non-rotatably connected to said spring, a non-circular head for said pin, a pair of aligned apertures in said head assembly disposed transversely thereof for receiving said pin, and a noncircular recess in said inner member for non- 'rotatably receiving the head olf said pin, said outer member having side portions overlying both ends of said pin so as to prevent its dislodgment from said apertures in said inner member.

2. A stapling apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said inner member is formed With a pair of elongate depressions having substantially parallel sides on each side thereof and having center lines intersecting said apertures, said depressions being of substantially the width and depth of the head of said pin, whereby said pin may be inserted through said apertures in either direction and non-rotatably held in said inner member.

3. A stapling apparatus, comprising an elongate staple magazine assembly, a sliding staple follower associated therewith, a head assembly mounted on said magazine assembly, a flat spring having one end coiled Within said head assembly, means in said head assembly for holding the inner end of said spring non-rotatably in a predetermined position, the outer end of said spring extending through an aperture in said head assembly and having a tting arranged to be rea movably connected to said staple follower, the aperture in said head assembly through which said spring passes having an enlarged portion above the path of said spring arranged to receive said tting when it is disengaged from said follower, so as to hold said spring and said tting out of the path of staples being loaded into said magazine assembly.

4. In a stapling apparatus having an elongate magazine assembly, a head assembly arranged to be secured to said magazine assembly, said head assembly comprising an outer member forming the front and sides of the stationary portion of the head assembly, an inner member having an integral part forming the top and rear of said stationary portion, means securing said inner and outer members together, means integral With said inner member for cooperation with said outer member in dening a guideway for said plunger, means integral With said inner member providing stops for limiting the movements of said plunger in both directions, a coiled at spring providing a resilient force urging staples in said magazine assembly toward a position in which a staple may be driven by said plunger, a pin to which one end of said spring is secured, and means integral with said inner member providing a bearing for and supporting said pin in a non-rotatable position in respect to said inner member.

SAMUEL LEBER. EMIL U. ZELLER.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Namev Date Bunnell July 20, 193'? Number 

